A glossary of terms relevant to disability, accessibility and technology

Volunteer or employee of an individual with a disability (e.g., visual impairment, learning disability) who reads printed material in person or records to audiotape.

Hardware and software designed to provide access to printed text for people with visual impairments, mobility impairments, or learning disabilities. Character recognition software controls a scanner that takes an image of a printed page, converts it to computer text using recognition software and then reads the text using a synthesized voice.

An adjustment or modification to a job or work environment that allows an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy benefits equal to those offered to employees who do not have a disability.

Hardware connected to a computer that echoes screen text on a box that has cells consisting of pins that move up and down to create braille characters.

A disability that may be chronic or acute and usually is described as pain caused by overuse of extremities, usually hands and wrists.